Overseas Trip. Part 3. Canada.

Leaving New York was super sad, because we had had such an AMAZING time in such an AMAZING city. But I was also filled with so much excitement with the upcoming next phase of our trip. We had to be up & in the cab to the JFK airport by 5am. Ella & I had only got to bed at 1am after a super fun last night in Times Square....so you can imagine how we both looked & felt on such little sleep {no photos of us that morning haaa}.

As the cab drove out of NYC, and the sun was rising, I snuggled my sleepy girl in the back seat & took as much of the city in for one last time. I tried to take mental note of the way it looked, the people, the chaos, the smells, the magic of this historic town before we hopped on yet another plane!

The flight to Toronto, Canada was fairly short yet quite turbulent {yikes! I didn't like that at all!} and Ella slept most of the way :)

When Chris & I decided that I would go on this holiday this year, one of the main driving forces in this decision was that I wanted to go to Canada to meet my dear friend Tara. Yes......MEET :) We have been friends since 2007......we talked regularly & know each other so deeply & so well....yet had never met in person :) We 'met' online {on a pregnancy forum} when I was pregnant with Ella & her with Aurora....and although we lived on opposite sides of the world....our friendship blossomed from day one. I felt some soulful connection to this girl & hanging out with her in person was on my bucket list ;o) And today....as I flew out of New York & headed north.....I was going to finally cuddle her in real life & mark a big fat tick off that bucket list again :)

The plane landed, we went through customs and then I steered our baggage trolley through the Toronto Airport scanning for Tara. I was filled with mainly excitement....but also some nerves...."what if I can't find her in this big place?" or "What if our connection isn't so great & we're stuck together for the next week?" or "What if I'm not what she's expecting?"....... But then I saw her.....and the gorgeous Miss Aurora baring gifts & balloons for Ella & I. We scooted across the room & hugged for the first time.....but it felt so natural as if we'd been hanging out as buddies forever!! It was such a beautiful moment, it really was! I was here......with Tara....for reals :) Very cool :)

Tara's husband Mike had taken the week off work so we could go & holiday in their country cottage. We drove out of Toronto & traveled for a couple of hours. Tara & I were already scooped together in the back of the mini van chatting away about absolutely anything & everything. There was no awkwardness and any fears I had had for a moment...were all gone. We laughed & reminisced & got the chance to really chat....face to face....not over a screen....it was bliss!

Then we arrived here:

{the view from the back deck of their cottage!}

So So Beautiful! Such a change from where we'd just come from in New York.....but a change that was so welcomed & thoroughly needed. This place was the epiphany of relaxation & beauty! The view, the lake, the nature, the scenery....it was like I was in the middle of a movie set :) So...to the lake we went, where we enjoyed the warm weather!! And Ella got to be a 'kid' with other kids...which was magic.....after a week of being with only 'grown ups' :)

{Little Logan stole my heart. What a gorgeous little soul of a boy!}

Later, on that 1st day in Canada, Tara & Mike took us to somewhere pretty cool.....WALMART :) It was quite an experience {loosing my Walmart virginity lol}.....this place is amazing.....I can't help but wonder why we don't have anything like it here in Australia?? But it was so convenient....it literally had EVERYTHING in the one store! And....OMG....so soooo cheap! $6 dresses, $5 Crayola packs....and my favourite new treat....POP TARTS!!! There was a whole aisle of Pop Tarts....and they only cost a few dollars per box {unlike the $15/box that we pay here in Australia}.  It was so much fun cruising the many aisles of Walmart.....Mike pushing all 3 kids in one trolley, Tara & I pushing the other trolley full of food, toys & treats :) We shopped up a storm & then  headed back to the cottage. It was then that I noticed Ella was crashing from the 4 crazy days in New York.....it was catching up on her......she was burning up a fever, her eyes were puffing up & she had the cranks....big time! So a fairly early night was had......by us all :)

Unfortunately, Ella was not 100% for our whole stay in Canada :( A doctor trip on the last day revealed she had a throat infection & virus. She was irritated, exhausted and sporting a constant fever. She was waking each night with night terrors & starting to miss her Daddy. But....in true Ella style....she didn't want to take it easy or miss an opportunity to have some fun.....she wanted to play & explore & learn!

Ella & Aurora were the reason Tara & I first crossed paths :) And seeing our 2 girls {born only days apart} playing together truly was MAGIC! Of course, we had to deal with normal toddler arguments....over important things like; who touched the pillow first, or who was using the purple sand bucket or who likes Tinkerbell more :) But for most of it....they were pretty tight :) Ella gave Aurora a BEST FRIEND necklace charm & it was so special to see these 2 little girls from different sides of the world, come together, like their Mumma's, and love each other :)

Tara & I have so much in common when it comes to parenting. We both like to embed some magic into our children's lives through imagination, make-believe, fantasy & play. So, it was only natural that a lot of our days were spent watching "The Ella, Aurora & Logan Show", or making fairy houses, or dressing up, or lounge room dancing or exploring the gorgeous surroundings looking for fairies.......

{this photo above truly shows Ella fighting her body's request to REST!!! She was exhausted & almost falling asleep on that rock.....but insisted on being in a tutu with a wand with her little pal Aurora....and not missing out on a thing!!} {I dragged her off to bed not long after this photo was taken!...against her will....but for her own good lol}

On one of the days, we headed into the local country town. It was such a sweet place. One of those quirky little towns full of character & charm. It reminded me of Stars Hollow in Gilmore Girls actually :) It was here that I experienced another 'first': Canadian Poutine {a scrumptious concoction of hot chips, gravy & melted cheese} YUM!

Cue lunch time break in the carpark:

I told you this town was pretty :)

If there's anyone who loves Christmas as much as me & embraces it for everything it's worth....it's Tara :) So, finding a Christmas Shop in August was pretty cool...and we spent way too long in there :) If I had no weight limit on my suitcases returning home, I would've bought most of the store :)

Ella & I fell in love with this interactive Advent Calendar :)

This sign {above} spoke to me hehehe :)

And if that town wasn't magical enough.....we then headed to Screaming Heads.....the finale to end a GORGEOUS afternoon:

And just when I think we've explored & played to our heart's content....Tara whips out this afternoon treat for the girls.......our 2 little Lovelies were in Girly Heaven......a tea party in a fairy forest....BLISS:

CUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Topped off by a dip in the lake & some sand fun! Tara & Mike made this for Miss Ella:

 Most of the last afternoon was spent seeing the Doctor & waiting at the chemist for Ella's prescription.....but we then also headed into Toronto City for the evening & night. We did some shopping & went to awesome Rainforest Cafe, enjoyed a takeout dinner & cozied up in a hotel ready for our early departure the next day. That night, we simply enjoyed 'hanging out' & chatting. The kids had fun jumping on the hotel beds {shhh} and we mucked around with some photo ideas.

Above photo of me; taken by Tara, for a friend's handmade 'belly band' business. My booming pregnant belly, and a gorgeous piece of art to beautify my growing waist line....all in the comfort of a late night hotel shoot :)

And at some ungodly hour the next morning, we were up & on our way to the airport. Leaving Tara & her gorgeous family was a sad moment. Tara & I were all teary & sooky at the airport as we departed ways. I wish we had had longer there in Canada, spending time, catching up. But I'm grateful for the amazing 5 days we had there & am SO glad I finally got to meet my Soul Sister in the flesh. As the plane took off, bound for Kansas USA, I smiled at the amazing week we'd had with the Rose Family & felt very content & full :)

Thank you so much Tara, Mike, Rory & Logan for having us. You are such a beautiful family and Ella & I had a blast being apart of your family for the week. Love you x.

Who would've thought this crazy ole' place called the Internet, would play such a huge role in two kindred spirits meeting? Reflecting back on my meeting with Tara, I'm thankful for the world of blogs, online forums & websites! An awesome chapter of my life was written, thanks to the connections the online world can blossom.

Canada is a gorgeous, breathtaking place....and I can't wait to return one day :)

Part 4 of holiday.....7 days in Kansas USA....can be found here :)

USA Trip. Part 1. Disneyland LA.

Two weeks ago today, Ella & I stepped off of our 10th flight in 3 weeks, back onto Australian soil. Wearing the same clothes we were wearing 2 days prior & unshowered in the past 72hours, we gathered our luggage, breezed through customs & kept our sleepy eyes WIDE OPEN looking for our Prince :) And there he was.....Chris was waiting for his 2 girls to arrive back home after a long & eventful overseas holiday!!! I didn't know if I should cry, laugh or apologize for my appearance.....but it was SWEET....Oh So Sweet to be back safely HOME....with our Number 1 Man! Seeing Ella's face as it locked eyes with Chris's & watching them embrace was the icing on the cake :) In a nutshell....we missed him! And secretly.....I think he missed us too :)

Our trip begun on August 1st :) The evening before was the first time that a little bit of "Sh*t, what am I doing?" entered my mind. The trip had been so 'last minute' & too amazing for me even to believe was true that it hadn't even sunk in til the last moment, that, I was traveling SOLO-PARENT style across the world...with a toddler....AND; HEAVILY pregnant! 

Chris dropped us off at the Brisbane International Airport. I cried! Ella {not truly knowing what we were about to embark on} skipped off with a smile & a wave. I started the journey through the airport, figuring out how I was going to make this 'carrying 2 suitcases, 2 backpacks & a stroller...as well as an oversized tummy....and keeping constant eyes on the 3yr old' was going to work! I somehow got rolling....got it sussed! We checked in, exchanged money & sat down to enjoy a chocolate milk & doughnut whilst I let it all set in. "Oh My God, I'm doing this! This is real! YIKES!!!"

{That's our plane in the background! The 1st of 10! Ella's first ever plane ride!}

We boarded...I think I prayed somewhere in there too {that we didn't crash & die...positive I know!}. And as the plane took off......Ella looked out her window & said "Wow Mummy....Look at beautiful planet Earth!!" And just like that.....I TOOK A BREATH & RELAXED!!!

3 hours later we landed in Auckland, New Zealand, where we had 4 hours to fill. We showered {why don't all airports have showers? Best.Thing.Ever!}, we browsed the shops, we ate Burger King & we jumped on a 'pay by the minute' computer to quickly shoot Chris an email to say Hi. Ella befriended another 3yr old girl....named Ellie....and they hand-in-hand, played as if they'd known each other for life! Then, at 9:30pm that night....we boarded the Flight to LOS ANGELES! 

The flight was long but easy! Ella slept for 4 hours. I slept for 3. We hit some turbulence that had me working up a sweat & quietly freaking out, but thank goodness that didn't last too long! Ella was so well behaved. She watched movies, read books, played computer games, chatted to random people on board & basically filled the time with lots of fun & joy ;o)

The next afternoon, but it was still only the 1st of Aug {hmmm....the whole time difference thing still really confuses me LOL}, we landed at LA & started the long process of customs, security & baggage retrieval. As we walked out of the LAX Airport, it hit me that we were in AMERICA.....and I was alone with a heap of responsibilities....AND.... I needed to find a particular shuttle bus amongst 4 million other buses & fast moving cars!! {This 3 days in LA was to be the only leg of the trip where I truly was doing it solo. No husband, no family, no friends, no help. JUST ELLA & I! I wasn't scared....but I knew I had to be on my game!...which is hard after only 3 hours sleep in 2 days} But then....as we scoured & scampered through the busy airport I saw someone...someone very familiar!! "Hey Ella, that man looks just like Uncle Spencer!" I say, whilst steering my way through the crowd. "Oh.My.Goodness. THAT IS UNCLE SPENCER!!" I yell as we run towards him. It took me a few hugs & him repeating himself & getting on the Shuttle Bus with us....for it to sink in....he wasn't there by co-incidence {which I had thought}, he made the trip especially from Kansas to LA to spend the 3 days with Ella & I! OMG....I truly have the most amazing family! And for that, I'm grateful!

{Uncle Spencer (my Brother) and Ella!}

Once we got checked in at the hotel, I could simply RELAX! In a way that I would not have been able to do if Spen wasn't there! Coz he'd organised a hire car for the next day to get us to Disneyland so we didn't have to rely on bus times, he had pre-bought our Disneyland tickets....and with him living in America, he helped me out with the whole overwhelming factor of tipping & driving on the right side & what certain foods are called on the menu etc! I could go to bed early that night & truly sleep well knowing everything was taken care of! And....seeing Chris's face of relief when I skyped him to tell him we had a 'surprise man' chauffeuring us for the whole LA leg was priceless! He knew his girls were in safe hands & that made him breathe a little easier! 

August 2nd....we slept in :) Enjoyed a breakfast out & then headed into DISNEYLAND for the rest of the day!!

WOW!!! I don't even think I have the right words for Disneyland. Nothing I can say or type on this keyboard will do it justice or truly explain how MAGICALLY AMAZING that place is!

It was a HOT day....high 30's, low 40's....but the heat was kind of nice, considering we'd just left in the middle of the Australian winter! Ella's excitement that morning was pure BLISS to watch. And as we entered the gates & walked up the street, she saw it.....THE DISNEY CASTLE! The Castle that she sees at the start of all her "Disney" movies & asks "Can we go there someday?" We were there! My girl & I! And it was COOL!!

We spent the day exploring & watching 'eagle eyed', trying to take it ALL in. Everywhere you looked, everywhere you went there was PURE MAGIC! We did quite a few rides....it was FUN;

{Alice in Wonderland's Teacup Ride}

{Roger Rabbit Ride ~ Ella spent most of the ride in sheer terror...covering her eyes. But as soon as it stopped & we got off, she said in the most excitable voice "That was AWESOME! Can we do it again!" haaaa} 

{I saw this sign during the "It's A Small World" Ride....and it stood out at me!! There sure is a BRIGHT WORLD out there WAITING....and we're here experiencing it!}

One thing Ella really wanted to do {and so did I.... heee} was meet TINKERBELL! So we braved the 1 hour wait in the hot, hot sun to have a personal one-on-one meeting with The Miss Tinkerbell in Pixie Hollow :) It was worth the wait :)

And then....the PARADE!! Hmmm, don't even get me started on the Parade!! Magic! Awesome, real MAGIC!

As we walked out of the gates that evening, I felt complete & full & HAPPY! 

And so did Ella:

{yep....that face shows pure CONTENTMENT...and EXHAUSTION after the most-amazing fun-filled day in the sun! I've waited 29years to come here....and we DID IT!! Bucket List....TICK!} {Oh...and the Minnie Mouse Toy; Ella's purchase using her $30!} She was asleep within seconds of getting in the car :) However, we had to wake her 20mins later for dinner at Applebees! OhMyGoodness....the size of the meals....and the 'cheapness' {I think I made that word up} of the meals...was SHOCKING! I enjoyed a half rack of BBQ Ribs....So So So GOOD!

We slept well that night...all snugged up in our comfy hotel beds! And at 5am, the alarm clock rung....as a flight to NEW YORK awaited us :) I will blog all about NY and the love affair I had with this city asap! But for now....I have heavy heavy eyes & a warm bed with Chris awaiting me :) {It's also good to be home!}

Thank you Spencer for being there for us & for everything you did to make my first stop in America easy & memorable! How I got so blessed with all the good people & opportunities in my life, I don't know! But I'm grateful.....very grateful! 

Night Y'All :)

Fear.

{image from weheartit}

When I reflect back on my life, I can count a few moments of time, where I have stopped & had an almost 'out of body' experience where I thought; "Wow, everything right now in this moment is perfect!". Moments when nothing mattered, yet everything mattered. When the definition of CONTENT was perfectly in sync throughout me!One of those moments was my wedding night..... as Chris & I danced so happily & freely in front of all the special people in our lives & vowed to them that we were Husband & Wife and we were a lifelong team! We drank & laughed & cried & danced & ate & loved! I remember thinking that everything was so beautifully perfect!! And if it was to be my last moment on Earth, my last day....I'd die happily....contently.....blissfully, knowing that nothing else at that moment mattered! I felt complete & at peace!

However since becoming a Mumma.....the thought of not seeing another day, scares the sh*t out of me {excuse my language....sorry Mum!}! But.....The thought of missing one moment of Ella's life terrifies me.....let alone, missing a whole lifetime of moments with her! 'Taking risks' & 'living on the edge' have a whole new meaning & responsibility now!

People throw around the phrases: 'appreciate each day', and 'make each day count' and 'life without fear' all the time. Hey, even I do! But sometimes it's not that simple......sometimes it takes a tragedy or an accident or an illness or becoming a Mumma or facing a fear before you can really understand & embrace those phrases!

We all have fears!!! Including me!!! Some are superficial......like snakes & lizards {ewww they creep me out}, but some are much bigger than that....like something happening to my child/ren or loved ones....or missing amazing moments with my kids.....or: FLYING!! Yep.....I hate flying! There I said it! I am so friggen scared of flying that it may have played a small {or big} part in why I haven't traveled much in my adult years! I havent' let it completely control me! I've flown! I've done weekends away interstate with friends or Chris or my Mum or even 1 by myself. I've been on interstate school trips as a teenager on planes & I holidayed overseas 15 years ago! BUT....the older I get, the wiser {or more informed} I get.....the worrier in me sometimes gets the better of me! And with our Dream Trip coming up in just a couple of weeks, I will be honest in saying that I am NOT looking forward to the many flights we will be embarking on! I know this fear has mainly developed & worsened since the tragic loss of our friend in 2002, when a plane crash in Manilla had plans to change MANY people's lives that day! But....when I took the plunge & booked this holiday a couple of months ago, I decided to push beyond my gravity-defying fear of flying and to not let it play anymore of a role in my LIFE!

Yeah, I'm scared......and I can't take anything to relax myself {being pregnant & traveling solo with a 3yr old}, but, I'm going to LEAVE MY FEAR BEHIND and become a better person from it! I'm facing up to it!!!

C'mon...back me up here.....What's your FEAR? And did you/do you plan to ever face it?? I'd love to know!!! Am I brave.....or crazy? lol. 

Quick Three.....{countries I'd like to visit}

This morning I'm playing along with Kasiabear's fun weekly blog link; quick three!

This week's QUICK THREE is..... Countries I'd Like to Visit!

{1} USA ~ With 1 of my Brothers, his wife & their 3 little children living in the USA again for the next 2-3 years.....and Chris's brother about to move to New York for a year or 2..... I have a massive itch to get over there!!!! And to get there for a White Christmas would be even more perfect!!! I've always wanted to travel parts of the USA, but even more so, now that I'm a Mumma! I want to take Ella to Disney Land :)

{2} And while I've made the trip all the way over there....I'd like to go to Canada!! Another place I've always wanted to experience....but now for different reasons :) I don't want to go there to even travel it or stay in fancy hotels....I have a very special friend living in Canada with her husband & 2 gorgeous babies!! Oh how I'd love to spend a week {or more} cozied up in their home with them....chatting person to person over MANY coffees, while the kids play & explore!! It'll happen one day.....IT WILL :)

{3} I haven't left Australian shores in the past 10 years! The last time I went OS was in 1997 to Africa & England with stops in Singapore & Paris. Although, I have every desire to head back to these places again one day....it's THAILAND that I really want to experience soon. Chris & I have so nearly booked a holiday there several times in the last few years. It's a fairly 'cheap' holiday, so it's not so much money holding us back....it's that I really would love to go there....child-free :) I want to lay in the sun & sip cocktails on the beach, dine late, sleep late, snorkel, ride elephants, browse the cheap markets, buy MANY knock-offs {lol} & simply RELAX.....couple style :) But.....I/we haven't had the guts to leave Ella yet....I think she'd be fine for a week with her Grandparents....but it's us....I don't know how well, we'd cope setting off without her :) I'll get the guts to do it one day......but probably by then, she'll be older enough to come too LOL :)

So, that's my 3! Of course, I have more holiday destinations stored away in my future plans & heart....but for now...that's my TOP 3 :)

Where would you love to jetset off to right now? Do you have a Top 3?

Head over to KASIABEAR to join in.....or buy from her lovely store!

2 images from here